System for mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case to different mounts

ABSTRACT

A system, for mechanically and electrically connecting to a mobile device that includes a first connector having an exposed first set of one or more electrodes, including a mount and a case. The case is removably attachable to the mount and can removably receive the mobile device at least partially. The case includes: a second connector, configured to removably engage the first connector, and having an exposed second electrode set corresponding to the first set, respectively; and a first mating part that includes an integral and exposed third electrode set corresponding at least in part to and electrically connected to the second set, respectively. The mount includes a second mating part having an integral and exposed fourth electrode set corresponding to the third set, respectively. The first and the second mating parts are removably engageable and provide mechanical and electrical connections between the case and the mount.

PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/908,353, filed Nov. 25, 2013, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systems formechanically and electrically connecting a case for a mobile device todifferent mounts, and more particularly to such system that provide(among other things) integrated mechanical and electrical connectionsbetween the case and a given one of the different mounts.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices have become prevalent in the everyday life of manypeople. For instance, there are approximately 6.8 billion mobiletelephony subscriptions worldwide, which refers to the number of devicesor SIM cards being used, noting that many people have multiple devicesor multiple accounts. This number is continuously increasing, and themobile device market continues to grow at an astonishing rate.

Furthermore, people have come to rely on their mobile device for avariety of tasks, including, but certainly not limited to phone calls,text messages, emails, social media, entertainment, taking photographsor pictures, video chat, watching or downloading videos and other media,navigation assistance, for example, via GPS, etc. Particularly, usersgenerally need or want to use their mobile device(s) while doing variousactivities (whether indoor or outdoor) throughout the day, including,for example, during travel in a car, bicycle, or walking, at a concert,wedding, or other social setting or activity, etc. If the mobile deviceis unavailable, for example, because it is incompatible with theactivity and/or because there is insufficient charge in the battery,then the user may experience frustration and/or may perceive the utilityof the mobile device as diminished.

Just as there are many types of mobile devices, there are also manydifferent types of communication (data and/or audio) connectors andcharging connectors by which to connect such devices to other devices,e.g., computers, headphones, chargers, etc. For example, in terms of thesmartphone type of mobile device for the year 2013, there were at leastseven manufacturers with significant market share. Of the sevenmanufacturers, however, two combined to have about 50% of the U.S.market (SAMSUNG® at about 26%-30% and APPLE® at about 15%-20%). Whilethe majority of SAMSUNG® brand smartphones and APPLE® brand smartphonesuse the same connector for making data and/or charging connections, theSAMSUNG® brand data and/or charging (hereinafter “data/charging”)connectors are incompatible with the APPLE® brand data/chargingconnectors. Furthermore, within a given brand, different models ofsmartphones might require different data/charging connectors, e.g., theAPPLE® brand IPHONE® 4 models use a different data/charging connectorthan the APPLE® brand IPHONE® 5 models.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that both the following summary and the detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to providefurther explanation of the invention as claimed. Neither the summary northe description that follows is intended to define or limit the scope ofthe invention to the particular features mentioned in the summary or inthe description. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by theappended claims.

In certain embodiments, the disclosed embodiments may include one ormore of the features described herein.

In one aspect of the present technology, there is provided a system formechanically and electrically connecting to a mobile device thatincludes a first connector having an exposed first set of one or moreelectrodes. Such a system includes: a mount; and a case removablyattachable to the mount and configured to removably receive the mobiledevice at least partially. The case includes: a second connector,configured to removably engage the first connector, and having anexposed second electrode set corresponding to the first set,respectively; and a first mating part that includes an integral andexposed third electrode set corresponding at least in part to andelectrically connected to the second set, respectively. The mountincludes a second mating part having an integral and exposed fourthelectrode set corresponding to the third set, respectively. And thefirst and the second mating parts are removably engageable andconfigured to provide mechanical and electrical connections between thecase and the mount.

In another aspect of the present technology, there is provided acoupling arrangement that includes a projection and a correspondingreceptacle. A proximal end of the projection has a flange. Theprojection includes an integral exposed first set of electrodes, atleast a first one thereof being formed in an exposed location on theflange, and at least a second one thereof being formed in an exposedlocation on a distal end of the projection. The receptacle includeswalls that define a recess having sides and a bottom, the recess beingconfigured to removably receive the projection. One or more of the wallsprovides one or more bearing surfaces outside the recess configured tosupport the flange. The receptacle includes an integral second electrodeset corresponding to the first set, respectively, at least a first onethereof being formed in at least one exposed location on one or more ofthe bearing surfaces, and at least a second one thereof being formed inan exposed location at the bottom of the recess. The projection and therecess are correspondingly sized so that the second electrode at thedistal end of the projection is disposed in contact with the secondelectrode at the bottom of the recess when the first electrode at theflange is disposed in contact with the first electrode at the one ormore bearing surfaces.

In another aspect of the present technology, there is provided acoupling arrangement which includes a first mating part and a secondmating part. The first mating part includes: a first base; a projectionextending from the first base; and annular groove segments formed in thebase adjacent to the projection. The second mating part includes: asecond base into which is formed a receptacle including walls thatdefine a recess having sides and a bottom, the recess being configuredto removably receive the projection; and tabs, located adjacent to therecess and extending from the second base, and configured to removablyengage the annular groove segments. A distal end of the projectionincludes an integral exposed first set of electrodes. The bottom of thereceptacle includes an integral second electrode set corresponding tothe first set, respectively. The projection and the recess arecorrespondingly sized so that the first and second electrode sets aredisposed in contact, respectively, when the distal end of the projectionabuts the bottom of the recess.

These and further and other aspects and features of the invention areapparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing writtenspecification, with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, togetherwith the description, further serve to enable a person skilled in thepertinent art to make and use these embodiments and others that will beapparent to those skilled in the art. The invention will be moreparticularly described in conjunction with the following drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective front view of a case for a mobiledevice as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a three-quarter perspective front view of a mount as disclosedin accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a three-quarter perspective partial rear view of a system formechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case todifferent mounts, and more particularly an attachment assembly of thesystem, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of the attachment assembly illustratedin FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and a case, and FIG. 5B being partial,exploded views of FIG. 5A;

FIGS. 5C-5D illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5C being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and another case, and FIG. 5D beingpartial, exploded views of FIG. 5C;

FIGS. 5E-5F illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5E being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and another case, and FIG. 5F being apartial, exploded view of FIG. 5E;

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 6A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and another case, and FIG. 6B beingpartial, exploded views of FIG. 6A;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 7A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and another case plus an auxiliarydevice connectable to the case, and FIG. 7B being partial, explodedviews of FIG. 7A;

FIGS. 8A-8H illustrate views (case and mobile device not illustrated) inaccordance with at least one other embodiment of the present invention,with FIGS. 8A-8B being first and second three-quarter perspective frontviews, respectively, FIG. 8C being a top plan view, FIGS. 8D-8E beingleft and right elevation views, respectively, FIGS. 8F-8G being top andbottom elevation views, respectively, and FIG. 8H being a bottom planview, of another system for mechanically and electrically connecting amobile device case to a mount;

FIGS. 8I-8K illustrate additional views in accordance with at least theembodiment of FIGS. 8A-8H, with FIG. 8I being a simple cross-section ofa mobile device and another case and with FIGS. 8J-8K being partialcross-sections of the system, and more particularly an attachmentassembly of the system, with FIG. 8J illustrating radially displaceableflanges disposed in an extended position, and with FIG. 8K illustratingradially displaceable flanges disposed in a retracted position;

FIGS. 8L-8N illustrate additional views in accordance with at least theembodiment of FIGS. 8A-8K, with FIG. 8L being an exploded bottom endelevation view of the system, FIG. 8M illustrating an exploded sideelevation view of the system; and FIG. 8N (case and mobile device notillustrated) being an alternative left elevation view with respect toFIG. 8D;

FIGS. 8O-8U illustrate additional views (mount not illustrated) inaccordance with at least the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8N, with FIGS. 8Oand 8U being first and second perspective rear views, respectively, FIG.8T being a bottom plan view, FIGS. 8P and 8R being left and rightelevation views, respectively, and FIGS. 8Q and 8S being bottom and topelevation views, respectively, of a mobile device contained in a casecompatible with the system;

FIGS. 9A-9G illustrate views (case and mobile device not illustrated) inaccordance with at least one other embodiment of the present invention,with FIGS. 9B and 9G being first and second perspective views,respectively, FIG. 9D being a top plan view, FIGS. 9C and 9E being leftand right elevation side views, respectively, and FIGS. 9A and 9G beingfront and back elevation views, respectively, of another system formechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case (notillustrated) to a mount, e.g., compatible with the system of FIGS.8A-8T;

FIGS. 9H-9I illustrate additional views (case and mobile device notillustrated) of the mount in accordance with at least the embodiment ofFIGS. 9A-9G, with FIGS. 9H and 9I being third and fourth perspectiveviews, respectively;

FIGS. 9J-9K illustrate additional views (case and mobile device beingillustrated) in accordance with at least the embodiment of FIGS. 9A-9I,with FIG. 9J being an exploded bottom end elevation view of the system,and FIG. 9K being an exploded side elevation view of the system;

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 10A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and another case, with FIGS. 10B-10Cillustrating partial cross-sections of another system formagneto-mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case toa mount (not illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C) as well as an external device(not illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C) to the case and/or the mount (notillustrated in FIGS. 10A-10C), with FIGS. 10A-10C more particularlyillustrating first and second attachment assemblies of the system;

FIG. 10D illustrates a back plan view of the cases of FIGS. 10A-10C, andmore particularly the case attachment structures thereof;

FIG. 10E illustrates a back plan view of a mount attachment structure(of an external device) corresponding to the case attachment structureof FIG. 10D;

FIG. 10F illustrates a back plan view of a mount attachment structure(for the external device of FIG. 10E) corresponding to the caseattachment structure of FIG. 10D;

FIGS. 10E-10G 10G-10I illustrate additional views in accordance with atleast the embodiment of FIGS. 10A-10F, with FIG. 10G being an explodedthree-quarter front perspective view of the system (external device notillustrated), FIG. 10H being an unexploded three-quarter rearperspective view of the system (external device not illustrated), andFIG. 10I being an exploded three-quarter rear perspective view of thesystem (case and mobile device not illustrated);

FIGS. 10J-10K illustrate additional views (external device notillustrated) in accordance with at least the embodiment of FIGS.10A-10I, with FIG. 10J being an exploded three-quarter perspective frontview of the case, the mobile device and an alternate mount, and withFIG. 10K being an unexploded three-quarter perspective rear view of thecase, the mobile device and the alternate mount;

FIGS. 10L-10N illustrate additional views in accordance with at leastthe embodiment of FIGS. 10A-10K, with FIG. 10L being an unexplodedthree-quarter perspective front view of the case, the mobile device andthe external device (mount not illustrated), with FIG. 10M being anunexploded three-quarter perspective rear view of the case, the mobiledevice and the external device (mount not illustrated), and FIG. 10Nbeing an exploded three-quarter perspective front view of the case, themobile device and the external power source (mount not illustrated);

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrates partial cross-sections of another system formagneto-mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case tomounts (mobile device not illustrated), in accordance with at least oneother embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 11C-11I illustrate additional views in accordance with at leastthe embodiments of FIGS. 11A-11B, with FIG. 11C being a perspective rearview of a case and a mobile device contained therein (mount notillustrated), FIG. 11D being perspective rear view of an external device(mobile device, case and mount not illustrated), FIGS. 11E-11F beingfront and rear perspective views of a first version of a mount (mobiledevice and case not illustrated), respectively, FIG. 11G being a frontperspective view of a second version of a mount (mobile device and casenot illustrated), FIG. 11H being a front perspective view of a thirdversion of a mount (mobile device and case not illustrated), and FIG.11I being a front perspective view of a fourth version of a mount(mobile device and case not illustrated); and

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section of another system for mechanicallyand electrically connecting a mobile device case to a mount, e.g.,compatible with any of the mounting assemblies disclosed herein, inaccordance with at least one other embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of systems for mechanically and electrically connecting amobile device case to different mounts will now be disclosed in terms ofvarious exemplary embodiments. This specification discloses one or moreembodiments that incorporate features of the invention. Theembodiment(s) described, and references in the specification to “oneembodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicatethat the embodiment(s) described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Such phrases are not necessarily referringto the same embodiment. When a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, personsskilled in the art may effect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed.

In the several figures, like reference numerals may be used for likeelements having like functions even in different drawings. Theembodiments described, and their detailed construction and elements, aremerely provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of theinvention. Thus, it is apparent that the present invention can becarried out in a variety of ways, and does not require any of thespecific features described herein. Also, well-known functions orconstructions are not described in detail since they would obscure theinvention with unnecessary detail. Any signal arrows in thedrawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and notlimiting, unless otherwise specifically noted.

The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is mademerely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of theinvention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by theappended claims.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, these elements should notbe limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish oneelement from another. For example, a first element could be termed asecond element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a firstelement, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, thefunctions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures.For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executedsubstantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

In the course of developing embodiments of the present invention, theinventor observed the following. To preserve the option of being able tomake a data connection and/or charge a given mobile device whenevershe/he pleases, and thereby reduce the potential for the user toexperience frustration and/or perceive the smartphone as havingdiminished utility, it is necessary for the user to carry thecorresponding brand of data and/or charging (again, “data/charging”)connector. It is common for a person and/or a family to have multiplesmartphone-type mobile devices, and for two or more of the devices tohave different data/charging connectors. As a consequential problem, itis common for a person and/or a family to have to carry multipledifferent data/charging connectors in addition to the multiple differentsmartphones.

At least some embodiments of the present invention help to solve theproblem observed by the inventor (noted above). Such embodiments do soby providing an on-the-go data-connection/charging system thatfacilitates data-connecting/charging mobile devices while reducing theneed for a user to carry separate data/charging connectors for eachdifferent mobile device.

Again, embodiments of the present invention relate generally to systemsfor mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case todifferent mounts. Such systems include a coupling arrangement having onemating part on the back of the case and a corresponding mating part thatis commonly provided on the different mounts (e.g., a desk mount, carmount, a bicycle mount, belt clip, arm band, and/or removable externalbattery). Such a coupling arrangement provides integrated mechanical andelectrical connections between the case and a given one of the mounts.In addition to the integration of the mechanical and electricalconnections, an advantage of locating one of the mating parts on theback of the case is facilitation of unencumbered use of the mobiledevice's headphone jack while the case-enclosed device is mounted, ascontrasted with docking arrangements that encumber the headphone jack.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the presentinvention are directed to systems comprising a mobile device case (e.g.,20 FIG. 1) and an electrically coupled and mechanically coupled mount(e.g., 30 FIG. 2). Particularly, as will become apparent from thedescription provided herein, such cases and mounts are disposable intoand out of a mechanically connected (or, in other words, mountable)relations with one another. In at least some of the embodiments, suchcases and mounts are disposable in mechanically-connected andelectrically-connected relations with one another. Furthermore, as willbecome apparent from the description provided herein, at least some ofthe embodiments may include a plurality of different mounts eachcomprising a universal or cooperative attachment structure (or, in otherwords, such a universal or cooperative attachment is commonly providedon the different mounts) such that a single instance of such a case maybe removably and selectively connected to each of a variety of differentmounts, as desired. For example, such mounts may include, but are notlimited to, a desk mount, car mount, a bicycle mount, belt clip, armband, and/or battery pack. Accordingly, a user may selectively mount orconnect a single instance of such a case with each of such mountsthroughout the day, wherein at least some of such mounts may beelectrically coupled with the single instance of such a case, therebyproviding a data connection and/or charging connection to the mobiledevice installed in the single instance of such a case.

FIG. 1 is a three-quarter perspective front view of a case 20 for amobile device 10 (not illustrated in FIG. 1, but see FIGS. 10A, 10C,etc.) as disclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. For example, mobile device 10, as used herein, mayinclude, but is in no way limited to, a mobile or cellular phone (e.g.,a smartphone), media device, mp3 or music player, game console, tabletcomputer, laptop computer, etc.

In FIG. 1, case 20 includes a bottom wall 27A, a top wall 27B, sidewalls 27C-27D and a bottom wall 27E. Walls 27A-27E define a recessedportion (or compartment) 21 in case 20 that is structured anddimensioned (or, in other words, configured) to removably receive and atleast partially house or contain (or, in other words, accommodate)mobile device 10 (again, not illustrated in FIG. 1, but see FIGS. 10A,10C, etc.) in a connected relation with case 20. It should be noted thatrecessed portion 21 and, therefore the case 20, may include differentdimensions, configurations, etc., depending, for example, on the type ofmobile device which a given instance of case 20 is designed to at leastpartially house/contain (or, in other words, accommodate). For example,a given instance of case 20 configured to accommodate an APPLE® IPHONE®may be slightly different in dimensions and/or design than another giveninstance of case 20 that is configured to accommodate an ANDROID® phone.

A mobile device (not illustrated in FIG. 1, but see FIG. 10A, etc.)typically has one or more ports/connectors for making electrical, e.g.,data connections and/or audio connections and/or charging/powerconnections, to external devices. Typically, ports/connectors on amobile device have a female configuration, e.g., are configured as asocket. Each such socket has an exposed set of one or more electrodes(not illustrated in FIG. 1). Here, it is assumed that mobile device 10includes at least a first data and/or charging (hereinafter“data/charging”) connector configured as a socket, the firstdata/charging connector being provided with an exposed first set of oneor more electrodes. Examples of such data/charging connectorconfigurations include the APPLE® brand LIGHTNING° model connector, theAPPLE® brand 30-pin model connector, the family of models of UniversalSerial Bus (“USB”) standard connectors, etc.

Also in FIG. 1, case 20 further includes a second data/chargingconnector 22 attached to bottom wall 27A, e.g., formed into wall 27A. Assuch, connector 22 is exposed to (or, in other words, projects into)recessed portion 21. As it projects into recessed portion 21, connector22 can be described as an internal connector. Connector 22 is configuredto correspond to the data/charging socket connector of mobile device 10.Accordingly, connector 22 is configured as a plug that has an exposedsecond electrode set corresponding to the first electrode set of thedata/charging socket connector of mobile device 10, respectively.

When mobile device 10 is inserted into case 20 (or, in other words,disposed in a connected or housed relation with the case 20),data/charging plug connector 22 is removably inserted into thedata/charging socket connector of mobile device 10. Such insertionremovably engages data/charging plug connector 22 and the data/chargingsocket connector of mobile device 10 so that a mechanical connection ismade between plug connector 22 an the socket connector, and so thatelectrical connections are made between corresponding individualelectrodes of the exposed first and second electrode sets, respectively.

Case 21 further includes a third data/charging connector (notillustrated in FIG. 1) that is attached to, e.g., back wall 27E, e.g.,formed into back wall 27E. Whereas connector 22 is an internalconnector, by contrast, the third connector can be described as anexterior connector because it is exposed to the exterior of case 21. Thethird connector comprises part of a case attachment structure 60(illustrated in more detail in, e.g., FIGS. 3-4—discussed below), withcase attachment structure 60 comprising part of an attachment assembly50 (not illustrated in FIG. 1, but see FIG. 3—discussed below). Thethird connector can be formed with an exposed third electrode setcorresponding to the first electrode set of the data/charging socketconnector of mobile device 10, respectively. An internal connection 25is provided on back wall 27E. Internal connection 25 contains leads (notillustrated in FIG. 1) that electrically connect correspondingindividual electrodes of the exposed second and third electrode sets,respectively. Alternatively, such leads can be contained in back wall27E, e.g., embedded therein.

Optionally (as denoted by phantom lines), case 20 can be provided with afourth data/charging connector 28 attached (e.g., formed into) to anexterior of one of the walls, e.g., e.g., bottom wall 27A. Like thefirst data/charging socket connector of mobile device 10, optionalfourth data/charging connector 28 can be configured as a socket, and canbe provided with an exposed fourth electrode set corresponding to thefirst electrode set of the first data/charging socket connector ofmobile device 10, respectively. Optional leads (not illustrated inFIG. 1) can be provided in (contained in) bottom wall 27A (e.g.,embedded therein) that electrically connect corresponding individualelectrodes of the exposed second and fourth electrode sets,respectively.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is a data/charging cable 40 that isterminated in a fifth data/charging connector configured as a plug thatis provided with a fifth electrode set corresponding to the firstelectrode set of the data/charging socket connector of mobile device 10,respectively. As such, the fifth data/charging plug connector of cable40 can be removably inserted into optional data/charging socketconnector 28 so that electrical connections are made betweencorresponding individual electrodes of the exposed fourth and fifthelectrode sets, respectively.

FIG. 2 is a three-quarter perspective front view of a mount 30 asdisclosed in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention.

Mount 30 is a gravity mount that includes a base 31 which can bedisposed on a support surface (not illustrated), e.g., a desk,countertop, table, etc. An extension 32 connected to the base 31 isillustrated, although other configurations and structures arecontemplated within the full spirit and scope of the various embodimentsof the present invention. For instance, the extension may include arigid support, flexible or positionable support, a gooseneck flex cable,etc.

In FIG. 2, an external power source (not illustrated) can be disposed inan electrically coupled relation to mount 30 via cable 40. As such,mount 30 may include an input port/connector 33 removably connectable tothe data/charging connector of cable 40. For example, port/connector 33and the fifth data/charging plug connector of cable 40 may configured ascorresponding connectors (e.g., as socket and plug) conforming to one ofthe USB standard connector models, although other standards, cables, andconnectors are certainly contemplated within the various embodiments ofthe present invention. Removable cable 40 may connect, e.g., directly toa power outlet (e.g., via a transformer or other outlet connector), acomputer, an external battery, or other power source. In otherembodiments, there may be provided a dedicated power cable 42 that maybe connected either removably (via a universal or proprietary connector,for example) or hardwired at one end to mount 30, and connected at itsother end to a power source, such as, for example, a power outlet,computer, battery, etc.

FIG. 3 is a three-quarter perspective partial rear view of a system formechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case todifferent mounts, and more particularly attachment assembly 50 of thesystem, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. And FIG. 4 is a partial cross-section of the attachmentassembly illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, attachment assembly 50 is structured to facilitate an easy,removable attachment between case 20 and different mounts 30 (notillustrated in FIG. 3). Attachment assembly 50 includes case attachmentstructure 60 and a cooperatively configured mount attachment structure70 that is commonly provided on the different mounts 30. For example,assume a situation in which there are two different types of mount 30,i.e., a first type of mount 30 and a second type of mount 30. The firsttype of mount 30 is provided with a first type of mount attachmentstructure 70. The second type of mount 30 is provided with a second typeof mount attachment structure 70. In particular, attachment assembly 50is structured to facilitate easy and selective disconnection by a userof case 20 (more particularly, case attachment structure 60) from thefirst type of mount attachment structure 70 found on the first type ofmount 30 followed by easy and selective reconnection case 20 (moreparticularly, case attachment structure 60) to the second type of mountattachment structure 70 found on the second type of mount 30. As will bedescribed herein, various attachment assemblies structured to facilitatethe practice of the present invention in the intended manner arecontemplated with the full scope of the present invention.

In FIGS. 3-4, case attachment structure 60 includes a base plate 55Ainto which is formed a recess 65A, with recess 65A being defined by aninner surface of one or more side walls 55B and a bottom wall 55C. Forexample, recess 65 can be cylindrical. Projecting from bottom wall 55Cinto recess 65A is a core member 61 whose distal end is substantiallyplanar. A flange 62 extends from the distal end of core member 61 suchthat a groove 65B in core member 61 is defined between flange 62 andbottom wall 55C. For example, core member 61 can be cylindrical incross-section and groove 65B can be annular. Also, for example, flange62 may be a continuous annulus or may be formed of discrete annularsegments.

Mount attachment structure 70 includes a base plate 54, one or more sidewalls 73 (extending substantially perpendicularly from base plate 54)and a locking and/or positioning (“LP”) assembly 52. For example, theone or more side walls 73 there can define therebetween a channel (or,in other words, a recess) 71, e.g., a cylindrical recess. For example, adiameter of recess 71 (of mount attachment structure 70, defined betweeninner surfaces of side walls 55B) and a diameter of recess 65A (of caseattachment structure 60, defined between outer surfaces of side walls73) can be selected so that when mount attachment structure 70 isdisposed onto case attachment structure 60, core member 61 becomesinserted into recess 71, and more particularly the outer surfaces ofside walls 73 come to abut the inner surfaces of side walls 55B. Suchabutment, e.g., promotes contact therebetween but would not induceenough friction so as to substantially impede, if not prevent, rotationof mount attachment structure 70 (about the long axis of core member 61,the long axis of core member 61 being substantially perpendicular tobase plate 54) relative to case attachment structure 60. To furtherpromote such contact, e.g., the outer surfaces of side walls 73 and theinner surfaces of side walls 55B can be correspondingly parallelychamfered.

LP assembly 52 includes a substantially planar back plate 72A (disposedsubstantially parallel to base plate 54), a side wall or lip 72B(extending substantially perpendicularly from back plate 72A) and aflange 72C (extending substantially perpendicularly from side wall 72and oriented substantially parallel to back plate 72A). For example,flange 62 may be implemented as one or more annular segments. Relativeto the long axis of core member 61, LP assembly 52 can be configured tobe radially displaceable. When side wall 72B and flange 72C are disposedradially away from the long axis of core member 61 (e.g., viamanipulation of back plate 72A in the direction shown by an arrow A1 inFIG. 4), eventually a state of flange retraction is achieved in whichthe distal end of flange 72C is radially further away from the long axisof core member 61 than is the distal end of flange 62, therebypermitting mount attachment structure 70 to be disposed onto caseattachment structure 60 such that core member 61 becomes inserted intorecess 71. For example, to promote such insertion, the end(s) of flange62 may be chamfered.

At the culmination of the insertion, the distal planar end of coremember 61 comes to abut back plate 72A of LP assembly 52. Then, sidewall 72B and flange 72C of core attachment structure 60 can be disposedradially towards the long axis of core member 61, eventually achieving astate of cooperative fitting engagement in which flange 62 is insertedinto groove 65B, i.e., engages groove 65B.

As a first effect, the cooperative fitting engagement mechanicallyresists disengagement of case attachment structure 60 from mountattachment structure 70. As a second effect, the abutting engagement ofside walls 73 of mount structure 70 and side walls 55B of caseattachment structure 60 mechanically stabilizes the alignment of mountstructure 70 and case attachment structure 60 along the long axis ofcore member 61. Together, the first and second effects yield a thirdeffect, namely a mechanical connection between case attachment structure60 and mount structure 70, and thus between case 20 and mount 30.

For example, to promote such insertion, the end(s) of flange 72C may bechamfered. Also for example, to promote achieving the state ofcooperative fitting engagement, LP assembly 52 can be configured with abiasing assembly (not illustrated) that applies a biasing force, e.g.,to back plate 72A radially towards the long axis of core member 61,thereby biasing side wall 72B and flange 72C of core attachmentstructure 60 towards their most radially inward position.

Manipulation of back plate 72A of LP assembly 52, e.g., by applying aforce to back plate 72A in a direction radially outward/away from thelong axis of core member 61 (in the direction shown by arrow A1 in FIG.4) may cause LP assembly 52 to at least temporarily disengage so thatmount attachment structure 70 may be rotated (around/about the long axisof core member 61) or repositioned within recess 65A, as desired.Removing such a radially outward force permits LA assembly 50 to bereturned to the state of cooperative fitting engagement (describedabove).

It should be noted, however, and as described herein, the presentinvention is not limited to the particular details of core attachmentstructure 60 and mount attachment structure 70 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.Accordingly, other attachment and/or locking assemblies may beimplemented within the full spirit and scope of the various embodimentsof the present invention.

Furthermore, as at least some of mounts (e.g., 30, described herein) maybe electrically connected with corresponding cases (e.g., 20, describedherein), mobile device 10 may be charged (or otherwise receive power)and/or make a data connection via case 20 (and more particularly caseattachment structure 60) and mount 30 (and more particularly mountattachment structure 70). In FIG. 2, for example, mount attachmentstructure 70 of mount 30 may be electrically connected to power port 33and/or dedicated power cable 42, thereby allowing power to be receivedby mobile device 10 from an external power supply (not illustrated inFIG. 2) through dedicated power cable 42 and mount attachment structure70, and/or through removable cable 40 and port 33 and mount attachmentstructure 70, and/or data to be exchanged between mobile device 10 andan external device (not illustrated in FIG. 2) via removable cable 40and port 33 and mount attachment structure 70. It should be noted thatthe electrical connections between mount attachment structure 70, cable42, cable 40 and port 33 may be provided via one or more leads (notillustrated in FIGS. 2-4) disposed therebetween, respectively, andcontained in mount 30.

To facilitate the making of electrical connections between at least someof mounts 30 (described herein) and cases 20 (described herein),attachment assembly 50 (more particularly, case attachment structure 60and mount attachment structure 70) include cooperatively structured andarranged electrodes. For example, case attachment structure 60 can beprovided with electrodes 53A-53D and mount attachment structure 70 canbe provided with corresponding electrodes 57A-57D, respectively. Suchelectrodes can be formed, e.g., of electrically conductive material,such as metal or other materials.

In FIG. 4, attached to, e.g., formed in, the distal end of core member61 are electrodes 53A and 53B, which are arranged to be exposed at theplanar surface of the distal end of core member 61. Electrode 53A can bea pin (or dot) type of electrode located substantially on the long axisof core member 61. Electrode 53B can be an annular electrode centeredsubstantially about the long axis of core member 61, with a radiusapproximately half of the radius of flange 62. Regarding LA assembly 52,attached to, e.g., formed in, back plate 72A are electrodes 57A and 57B,which are cooperatively structured and arranged to correspond toelectrodes 53A and 53B, respectively. Electrodes 57A and 57B arearranged to be exposed at the planar surface of back plate 72 (which canbe disposed so as to abut the planar distal end of core member 61).Electrode 57A can be a pin type of electrode and electrode 57B can be anannular electrode, which are sized and located so as to align withelectrodes 53A and 53B, respectively, when mount attachment structure 70and case attachment structure 60 are in the state of cooperative fittingengagement.

Also in FIG. 4, attached to, e.g., formed in, the distal end of flange62 is electrode 53C. The underside of the distal end of flange 62 issubstantially planar and is substantially parallel to the interiorsurface of flange 72C. Electrode 53C is arranged to be exposed at theplanar underside surface of flange 62. Regarding LA assembly 52,attached to, e.g., formed in, flange 62 is electrode 57C, which iscooperatively structured and arranged to correspond to electrode 53C.Electrodes 57C is arranged to be exposed at the interior surface offlange 62. Electrode 53C and 57C can be described as correspondingannular electrodes, sized and located so as to align with each otherwhen mount attachment structure 70 and case attachment structure 60 arein the state of cooperative fitting engagement.

Yet also in FIG. 4, attached to, e.g., formed in, side wall 55B of caseattachment structure 60 is electrode 53D. Electrode 53D is arranged tobe exposed at the surface of side wall 55B. Regarding mount attachmentstructure 70, attached to, e.g., formed in, back plate 72 is electrode57D, which is cooperatively structured and arranged to correspond toelectrode 53D. Electrode 57D is arranged to be exposed at the exteriorsurface of back plate 72. Electrode 53D and 57D can be described ascorresponding annular electrodes sized and located so as to align witheach other when mount attachment structure 70 and case attachmentstructure 60 are in the state of cooperative fitting engagement.

It is noted that other locations for corresponding electrodes arecontemplated. In particular, such other locations can be anywhere withinattachment assembly 50 where case attachment structure 60 and mountattachment structure 70 abuttingly engage with one another.

As noted, case attachment structure 60 and mount structure 70mechanically connect case 20 and mount 30. Also as noted, electrodes incase attachment structure 60 and mount structure 70 electrically connectcase 20 and mount 30. As such, attachment assembly 50 (which iscomprised by case attachment structure 60 and mount structure 70)provides integrated mechanical and electrical connections between case20 and mount 30. In other words, the electrical connections between case20 and mount 30 (namely, the electrical connections made by attachmentassembly 50) are integrated with the mechanical connections between case20 and mount 30 (namely, the mechanical connections made by attachmentassembly 50).

As a first effect, the cooperative fitting engagement mechanicallyresists disengagement of case attachment structure 60 from mountattachment structure 70.

As a second effect, the abutting engagement of side walls 73 of mountstructure 70 and side walls 55B of case attachment structure 60mechanically stabilizes the alignment of mount structure 70 and caseattachment structure 60 along the long axis of core member 61. Together,the first and second effects yield a third effect, namely achievement ofa mechanical connection between case attachment structure 60 and mountstructure 70, and thus between case 20 and mount 30.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device 10 and a case 520A, and FIG. 5B beingpartial, exploded views 512A and 514A of FIG. 5A. It is noted that FIGS.5A-5B has similarities with respect to FIGS. 1-4.

In FIGS. 5A-5B, case 520A includes a back wall 522A and side walls 524Aand 526A, plus two additional side walls 528A-530A (not illustrated inFIGS. 5A-5B). Walls 522A-530A define a recess that partially receivesmobile device 10 such that a back side of mobile device 10 is disposedtowards, e.g., abuts, back wall 522A. Alternatively, one or more of sidewalls 524A-530A can be extended to fully cover the corresponding side ofthe phone, and or above a front side and or wrap partially around afront side of mobile device 10.

Mobile device 10 includes a first connector 532A that has an exposedfirst set of one or more electrodes 534A. One or more leads 536A thatconnect to various circuit nodes (not illustrated) in mobile device 10(not illustrated) terminate in first electrode set 534A, respectively.

Side wall 524 a includes a second connector 538A that has an exposedsecond electrode set 540A corresponding to first electrode set 534A,respectively. First connector 532A and second connector 538A areconfigured to removably engage each other. First connector 532A andsecond connector 538A are illustrated as having a female configuration(e.g., a socket) and a male configuration (e.g., a plug), respectively;alternatively, the converse is contemplated. For example, firstconnector 532A and second connector 536A can be compatible with astandard computer bus format, e.g., an APPLE® computer bus format, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) computer bus format, etc.

First connector 532A and second connector 538A are configured toremovably engage each other. First connector 532A and second connector538A are illustrated as having a female configuration (e.g., a socket)and a male configuration (e.g., a plug), respectively; alternatively,the converse is contemplated. For example, first connector 532A andsecond connector 536A can be compatible with a standard computer busformat, e.g., an APPLE® computer bus format, a Universal Serial Bus(USB) computer bus format, etc.

An exterior surface of back wall 522A (relative to the other sidethereof against which is disposed, e.g., abuts, the back side of mobiledevice 10) includes a third connector 542A that has an exposed thirdelectrode set corresponding to second electrode set 540A, respectively.FIG. 5B also illustrates a partial cross-section of a fourth connector546A that that has an exposed fourth electrode set corresponding to thethird electrode set of third connector 542A, respectively. Thirdconnector 542A and fourth connector 546A are configured to removablyengage each other. For example, third connector 542A and fourthconnector 546A comprise an attachment assembly 550A that can correspondsimilarly to attachment assembly 50 such that third connector 542A andfourth connector 546A can correspond similarly to case attachmentstructure 60 and mount attachment structure 70, respectively, of FIGS.2-3.

One or more leads 554A connect electrodes of second electrode set 540Ato electrodes of the third electrode set of third connector 542A,respectively. Leads 554A can be contained, e.g., in side wall 524A andback wall 522A. More particularly, for example, leads 554A can beembedded in the material, e.g., a rubber or thermoplastic or resinousmaterial, which forms side wall 524A and back wall 522A.

FIGS. 5C-5D illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5C being a simplecross-section of a mobile device 10 and another case 520C, and FIG. 5Dbeing partial, exploded views 512C and 514C of FIG. 5C.

It is noted that FIGS. 5C-5D are similar to FIGS. 5A-5B (among others).Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS. 5C-5D willtend to focus on differences of FIGS. 5C-5D with respect to FIGS. 5A-5B.

An exterior surface of back wall 522C (relative to the other sidethereof against which is disposed, e.g., abuts, the back side of mobiledevice 10) includes a third connector 542C that has an exposed thirdelectrode set 544C corresponding to second electrode set 540C,respectively. FIG. 5D also illustrates a cross-section of a fourthconnector 546C that has an exposed fourth electrode set 548C. Fourthconnector 546C is attached to a cable 550C. One or more leads 551C thatconnect to various circuit nodes (not illustrated) in an external device(not illustrated) terminate in fourth electrode set 548C, respectively.

Third connector 542C and fourth connector 546C are configured toremovably engage each other. Third connector 542C and fourth connector546C are illustrated as having a female configuration (e.g., a socket)and a male configuration (e.g., a plug), respectively; alternatively,the converse is contemplated. For example, third connector 544CA andfourth connector 546C can be compatible with a standard computer busformat, e.g., an APPLE® computer bus format, a Universal Serial Bus(USB) computer bus format, etc.

One or more leads 554C connect electrodes of second electrode set 540Cto electrodes of third electrode set 544C of third connector 542C,respectively. Leads 554C can be contained, e.g., in side wall 524C andback wall 522C. More particularly, for example, leads 554C can beembedded in the material, e.g., a rubber or thermoplastic or resinousmaterial, which forms side wall 524C and back wall 522C.

FIGS. 5E-5F illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 5E being a simplecross-section of a mobile device 10 and another case 520E, and FIG. 5Fbeing a partial, exploded view 512E of FIG. 5E.

It is noted that FIGS. 5E-5F are similar to FIGS. 5C-5D (among others).Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS. 5E-5F willtend to focus on differences of FIGS. 5E-5F with respect to FIGS. 5C-5D.

In FIGS. 5E-5F, side wall 524E (rather than back wall 522E) includes athird connector 542E that has an exposed third electrode set 544Ecorresponding to second electrode set 540E, respectively. Moreparticularly, an exterior surface of side wall 524E (relative to theother side thereof against which is disposed, e.g., abuts, the end sideof mobile device 10) includes third connector 542E. FIG. 5F alsoillustrates a cross-section of a fourth connector 546E that has anexposed fourth electrode set 548E. Fourth connector 546E is attached toa cable 550E. One or more leads 551E that connect to various circuitnodes (not illustrated) in an external device (not illustrated)terminate in fourth electrode set 548E, respectively.

Third connector 542E and fourth connector 546E are configured toremovably engage each other. Third connector 542E and fourth connector546E are illustrated as having a female configuration (e.g., a socket)and a male configuration (e.g., a plug), respectively; alternatively,the converse is contemplated. For example, third connector 544E andfourth connector 546E can be compatible with a standard computer busformat, e.g., an APPLE® computer bus format, a Universal Serial Bus(USB) computer bus format, etc.

One or more leads 554E connect electrodes of second electrode set 540Eto electrodes of third electrode set 544E of third connector 542E,respectively. Leads 554E can be contained, e.g., in side wall 524E. Moreparticularly, for example, leads 554E can be embedded in the material,e.g., a rubber or thermoplastic or resinous material, which forms sidewall 524E.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 6A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device 10 and another case 620A, and FIG. 6Bbeing partial, exploded views 612 and 614 of FIG. 6A.

It is noted that FIGS. 6A-6B are similar to FIGS. 5A-5B and 5E-5B (amongothers). Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS.6A-6B will tend to focus on differences of FIGS. 6A-6B with respect toFIGS. 5A-5B and 5E-5F.

In FIGS. 6A-6B, both of back wall 622A and side wall 624A includes‘third’ connectors corresponding to third connector 542A of FIGS. 5A-5Band third connector 542E of FIGS. 5E-5F, namely a third₂ (‘thirdsubscript 1’) connector 642A1 and a third₂ (‘third subscript 2’)connector 642A2, respectively. Third₂ connector 642A1 has an exposedthird₂ electrode set corresponding to second electrode set 640A,respectively. Third₂ connector 642A2 has an exposed third₂ electrode set644A2 also corresponding to second electrode set 640A, respectively.

FIGS. 6A-6B also illustrate (at least in partial cross-section) fourth₂(‘fourth subscript 1’) connectors corresponding to fourth connector 546Aof FIGS. 5A-5B and fourth connector 546E of FIGS. 5E-5F, namely afourth₂ (‘fourth subscript 1’) connector 646A1 (illustrated in partialcross-section) and a fourth₂ (‘fourth subscript 2’) connector 646A2,respectively. Fourth₂ connector 646A1 has an exposed fourth₂ electrodeset corresponding to the third electrode set of third₂ connector 642A1,respectively. Fourth₂ connector 646A2 has an exposed fourth₂ electrodeset 648A2 corresponding to third₂ electrode set 644A2, respectively.Also, fourth₂ connector 646A2 is attached to a cable 650A. One or moreleads 651A that connect to various circuit nodes (not illustrated) in anexternal device (not illustrated) terminate in fourth electrode set648A, respectively.

Third₂ connector 642A1 and fourth₂ connector 646A1 are configured toremovably engage each other. Third₂ connector 642A2 and fourth₂connector 646A2 are configured to removably engage each other.

One or more leads 654A1 connect electrodes of second electrode set 640Ato electrodes of the third electrode set of third₂ connector 642A1,respectively. Similarly, one or more leads 654A2 connect electrodes ofsecond electrode set 640A to third₂ electrode set 644A2, respectively.Leads 654A1 and 654A2 can be contained, e.g., in side wall 624A and orback wall 622A. More particularly, for example, leads 654A1 and 654A2can be embedded in the material, e.g., a rubber or thermoplastic orresinous material, which forms side wall 624A and/or back wall 622A.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 7A being a simplecross-section of mobile device 10 and another case 720 plus an auxiliarydevice 760 connectable to case 720, and FIG. 7B being partial, explodedviews 712 and 714 of FIG. 7A;

It is noted that FIGS. 7A-7B are similar to FIGS. 6G-6H (among others).Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS. 7A-7B willtend to focus on differences of FIGS. 7A-7B with respect to FIGS. 6G-6H.

In FIGS. 7A-7B, both of back wall 722G and side wall 724G includes‘third’ connectors corresponding to third connector 742A of FIGS. 6A-6Band third connector 742E of FIGS. 6E-6F, namely a third₂ (‘thirdsubscript 1’) connector 742G1 and a third₂ (‘third subscript 2’)connector 742G2, respectively. Third₂ connector 742G1 has an exposedthird₂ electrode set corresponding to second electrode set 740G,respectively. Third₂ connector 742G2 has an exposed third₂ electrode set744G2 also corresponding to second electrode set 740G, respectively.

Similar to third₂ (again, ‘third subscript 2’) connector 642G2 andfourth₂ (again, ‘fourth subscript 2’) connector 646G2 of FIGS. 6G-6H,FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a third₂ connector 742G2 and a fourth₂ connector746G2, respectively, that are configured to removably engage each other.Whereas fourth₂ connector 646G2 of FIGS. 6G-H is attached to a cable650G, fourth₂ connector 746G2 is attached to an external device 760 intowhich fourth₂ connector 746G2 is formed. One or more leads 751G thatconnect to various circuit nodes (not illustrated) in external device760 terminate in fourth electrode set 748G2, respectively. For example,external device 760 can be a mobile battery pack, a mobile magnetic cardreader (for reading magnetic stripe cards, e.g., credit cards), a mobilesmart card or chip card or ICC (integrated circuit card) reader (forreading cards, typically pocket-sized, that include embedded integratedcircuits), an external storage device (e.g., a flash/thumb drive, memorycard, etc.), an antenna (e.g., 802.11-type wireless local area network(WLAN) compatible, WiFi, mobile telephony, etc.), a lens system, asensor, etc.

FIGS. 8A-8H illustrate views (case 820 and mobile device 10 notillustrated) in accordance with at least one other embodiment of thepresent invention, with FIGS. 8A-8B being first and second three-quarterperspective front views, respectively, FIG. 8C being a top plan view,FIGS. 8D-8E being left and right elevation views, respectively, FIGS.8F-8G being top and bottom elevation views, respectively, and FIG. 8Hbeing a bottom plan view, of another system for mechanically andelectrically connecting mobile device case 10 to a mount 830.

In FIGS. 8A-8H, mount 870 is adapted to include not only a mountattachment structure 870, but also a clip assembly 890, e.g., a beltclip assembly.

FIGS. 8I-8K illustrate additional views in accordance with at least theembodiment of FIGS. 8A-8H, with FIG. 8I being a simple cross-section ofmobile device 10 and another case 820 and with FIGS. 8J-8K being partialcross-sections 814 of the system, and more particularly an attachmentassembly 850 of the system, with FIG. 8J illustrating radiallydisplaceable flanges disposed in an extended position, and with FIG. 8Killustrating radially displaceable flanges disposed in a retractedposition.

It is noted that FIGS. 8I-8K are similar to FIGS. 5A-5B (among others).Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS. 8I-8I willtend to focus on differences of FIGS. 8I-8K with respect to FIGS. 5A-5B.

An exterior surface of back wall 822 (relative to the other side thereofagainst which is disposed, e.g., abuts, the back side of mobile device10) includes a third connector 842 that has an exposed third electrodeset corresponding to second electrode set 840 (not illustrated in FIGS.8I-8K), respectively. FIG. 8B also illustrates a partial cross-sectionof a fourth connector 846 that that has an exposed fourth electrode setcorresponding to the third electrode set of third connector 842,respectively. Third connector 842 and fourth connector 846 areconfigured to removably engage each other. For example, third connector842 and fourth connector 846 comprise attachment assembly 850 that hassimilarities with respect to attachment assembly 550A such that thirdconnector 842 and fourth connector 846 has similarities with respect tocase attachment structure 860 and mount attachment structure 870,respectively, of FIGS. 2-3.

In FIGS. 8I-8K, case attachment structure 860 is a receptacle thatincludes a base plate 855A into which is formed a recess 865A, withrecess 865A being defined by an inner surface of one or more side walls855B and a bottom wall 855C (whose central region, at least, issubstantially planar). For example, recess 865A can be cylindrical. Aflange 855D extends inward (towards recess 865A) from the distal end ofside walls 855B such that a groove 865B is defined between flange 855Dand bottom wall 855C. For example, groove 865B can be annular. Also, forexample, flange 855D may be a continuous annulus or may be formed ofdiscrete annular segments.

Mount attachment structure 870 includes a base plate 854, a core member(or projection) 861 and an LP (again, locking and/or positioning)assembly 852. Core member 861 projects from base plate 854 into recess865A. Phrased differently, portions of base plate 854 that extendradially (relative to a long axis of core member 861, which issubstantially perpendicular to base plate 854) beyond sidewalls of coremember 861 can be described as forming a flange at the proximal end ofcore member 861. The distal end of core member 861 is substantiallyplanar.

LP assembly 852 includes a substantially coplanar back plates 872A1 and872A2 (disposed substantially parallel to base plate 854), side walls872B1 and 872B2 (extending substantially perpendicularly from backplates 872A1 and 782A2) and flanges 872C1 and 872C2 (extendingsubstantially perpendicularly from side walls 872B1 and 872B2,respectively. For example, flanges 872C1 and 872C2 may be implemented asone or more annular segments. Flanges 872C1 and 872C2 extend from thedistal end of core member 861 such that grooves 872D1 and 872D2 aredefined between flanges 872C1 and 872C2 and back plates 872A1 and 872A2flange 62, respectively.

Relative to a long axis of core member 861, LP assembly 852 can beconfigured to be radially displaceable. For example, a diameter ofrecess 865A (of case attachment structure 860, defined between endsurfaces of flanges 855D) and a diameter of recess 865A plus a depth (inradial direction relative to the long axis of core member 861) of groove865A (of case attachment structure 860) can be selected so that whenmount attachment structure 870 is disposed onto case attachmentstructure 860, core member 861 becomes inserted into recess 865A, andmore particularly side walls of core member 861 are disposed in closeproximity to (if not in abutment with) end surfaces of flange 855,respectively. Such abutment, e.g., promotes contact therebetween butwould not induce enough friction so as to substantially impede, if notprevent, insertion and removal of core member 861 to and from recess865A. To further promote such contact, e.g., the outer surfaces of theside walls of core member 861 and the end surfaces of flange 855 can becorrespondingly parallely chamfered.

By contrast, when side wall 872B1 & flange 872C1 and side wall 872B2 &flange 872C2 are disposed radially towards the long axis of core member861 (e.g., via manipulation of back plates 872A1 and 872A2 in thedirections shown by arrows A4 and A5 in FIG. 8K), eventually a state offlange retraction is achieved in which the distal ends of flanges 872C1and 872C2 are radially nearer from the long axis of core member 861 thanare the distal ends of flange 855D, thereby permitting core member 861(of mount attachment structure 870) to be inserted into or removed fromrecess 865A of case attachment structure 860. For example, to promotesuch insertion, the neighboring surfaces end(s) of flanges 872C1 & 872C2and flange 855D may be correspondingly parallely chamfered.

Returning to the discussion of insertion, at the culmination thereof,the distal planar end of core member 861 comes to abut bottom wall 855C.Then, side wall 872B1 & flange 872C1 and side wall 872B2 & flange 872C2can be disposed radially away from the long axis of core member 861(e.g., via manipulation of back plates 872A1 and 872A2 in the directionsshown by arrows A2 and A3 in FIG. 8K), eventually achieving a state ofcooperative fitting engagement in which flanges 872C1 and 872C2 areinserted into (i.e., engage) grooves 872D1 and 872D2, respectively.

For example, to promote such insertion, the distal end of core member861 may be chamfered. Also for example, to promote achieving the stateof cooperative fitting engagement, LP assembly 852 can be configuredwith a biasing assembly (not illustrated) that applies a biasing force,e.g., to back plates 872A1 and 872A2 radially towards the long axis ofcore member 861 (in the directions shown by arrows A2 and A3 in FIG.8K), thereby biasing side wall 872B1 & flange 872C1 and side wall 872B2& flange 872C2 towards their most radially outwardly extended position.

As a first effect, the cooperative fitting engagement mechanicallyresists disengagement of case attachment structure 860 from mountattachment structure 870. As a second effect, the abutting engagement ofthe side walls of core member 861 (of mount structure 870) with endsurfaces of flanges 855 (of case attachment structure 860) mechanicallystabilizes the alignment of mount structure 870 and case attachmentstructure 860 along the long axis of core member 861. Together, thefirst and second effects yield a third effect, namely a mechanicalconnection between case attachment structure 860 and mount structure870, and thus between case 820 and mount 830.

Manipulation of back plates 872A1 and 872A2 of LP assembly 852, e.g., byapplying forces to back plates 872A1 and 872A2 in directions radiallyinward/towards the long axis of core member 861 (in the directions shownby arrows A4 and A5 in FIG. 8K) may cause LP assembly 852 to at leasttemporarily disengage so that mount attachment structure 870 may berotated (around/about the long axis of core member 861) or repositionedwithin recess 865A, as desired. Removing such a radially inward forcepermits LA assembly 50 to be returned to the state of cooperativefitting engagement (described above).

It should be noted, however, and as described herein, the presentinvention is not limited to the particular details of core attachmentstructure 860 and mount attachment structure 870 illustrated in FIGS.8I-8K. Accordingly, other attachment and/or locking assemblies may beimplemented within the full spirit and scope of the various embodimentsof the present invention.

Furthermore, as at least some of mounts (e.g., 830, described herein)may be electrically connected with corresponding cases, (e.g., 820,described herein), mobile device 10 may be charged (or otherwise receivepower) and/or make a data connection via case 820 (and more particularlycase attachment structure 860) and mount 830 (and more particularlymount attachment structure 870). In FIGS. 8I-8K, for example, mountattachment structure 870 of mount 830 may be electrically connected to apower port 833 (not illustrated in FIGS. 8I-8K, into which can beplugged a removable cable 840 (not illustrated in FIGS. 8 i-8K)) and/ora dedicated power cable 842 (not illustrated in FIGS. 8I-8K)), therebyallowing power to be received by mobile device 10 from an external powersupply (not illustrated in FIGS. 8I-8K) through dedicated power cable842 and mount attachment structure 870, and/or through removable cable840 and port 833 and mount attachment structure 870, and/or data to beexchanged between mobile device 10 and an external device (notillustrated in FIGS. 8I-8K) via removable 840 and port 833 and mountattachment structure 870. It should be noted that the electricalconnections between mount attachment structure 870, cable 842, cable 840and port 833 may be provided via one or more leads (not illustrated inFIGS. 8I-8K) disposed therebetween, respectively, and contained in mount830.

To facilitate the making of electrical connections between at least someof mounts 830 and case 820, attachment assembly 850 (more particularly,case attachment structure 860 and mount attachment structure 870)include cooperatively structured and arranged electrodes. For example,case attachment structure 860 can be provided with electrodes 853A,853B, 853C, 853D and 853E, and mount attachment structure 870 can beprovided with corresponding (e.g., cooperatively structured andarranged) electrodes 857A, 857B, 857C, 857D and 857E, respectively. Suchelectrodes can be formed, e.g., of electrically conductive material,such as metal or other materials.

In terms of electrodes for case attachment structure 860, in FIGS.8I-8K, attached to, e.g., formed in, back wall 855C are electrodes 853A,853B, 853C and 853E, which are arranged to be exposed at the planarsurface of back wall 855C. Each of electrodes 853A, 853C and 853E can bea pin type of electrode distributed radially with respect to the longaxis of core member 861. Electrode 853B can be an annular electrodecentered substantially about the long axis of core member 861. Also inFIGS. 8I-8K, attached to, e.g., formed in, flange 855D are electrodes853D. Electrodes 853D can be annular segment electrodes centeredsubstantially about the long axis of core member 861.

In terms of electrodes for mount attachment structure 870, in FIGS.8I-8K, attached to, e.g., formed in, the distal end of core member 861are electrodes 857A, 857B, 857C and 857E, which are arranged to beexposed at the planar surface of the distal end of core member 861. Eachof electrodes 857A, 857B and 857D can be a pin type of electrodedistributed radially with respect to the long axis of core member 861.Also in FIGS. 8I-8K, attached to, e.g., formed in, base plate 854 areelectrodes 857D. Each of electrodes 857C and 857E can be annularelectrodes centered substantially about the long axis of core member861.

Pin-type electrodes 857A, 857B and 857D are sized and located so as toalign with electrodes 853A, 853B and 853D, respectively, when mountattachment structure 870 and case attachment structure 860 are in thestate of cooperative fitting engagement. Similarly, annular electrodes857C and 857E are sized and located so as to align with electrodes 853Eand 853C, respectively, when mount attachment structure 870 and caseattachment structure 860 are in the state of cooperative fittingengagement.

As noted, case attachment structure 860 and mount structure 870mechanically connect case 820 and mount 830. Also as noted, electrodesin case attachment structure 860 and mount structure 870 electricallyconnect case 820 and mount 830. As such, attachment assembly 850 (whichis comprised by case attachment structure 860 and mount structure 870)provides integrated mechanical and electrical connections between case820 and mount 830. In other words, the electrical connections betweencase 820 and mount 830 (namely, the electrical connections made byattachment assembly 850) are integrated with the mechanical connectionsbetween case 820 and mount 830 (namely, the mechanical connections madeby attachment assembly 850).

FIGS. 8L-8N illustrate additional views in accordance with at least theembodiment of FIGS. 8A-8K, with FIG. 8L being an exploded bottom endelevation view of the system, FIG. 8M illustrating an exploded sideelevation view of the system; and FIG. 8N (case 820 and mobile device 10not illustrated) being an alternative left elevation view with respectto FIG. 8D.

FIGS. 8O-8U illustrate additional views (mount 830 not illustrated) inaccordance with at least the embodiment of FIGS. 8A-8N, with FIGS. 8Oand 8U being first and second perspective rear views, respectively, FIG.8T being a bottom plan view, FIGS. 8P and 8R being left and rightelevation views, respectively, and FIGS. 8Q and 8S being bottom and topelevation views, respectively, of mobile device 10 contained in case820.

FIGS. 9A-9G illustrate views (case 920 and mobile device 10 notillustrated) in accordance with at least one other embodiment of thepresent invention, with FIGS. 9B and 9G being first and secondperspective views, respectively, FIG. 9D being a top plan view, FIGS. 9Cand 9E being left and right elevation side views, respectively, andFIGS. 9A and 9G being front and back elevation views, respectively, ofanother system for mechanically and electrically connecting mobiledevice case 920 (not illustrated) to a mount 970, e.g., compatible withthe system of FIGS. 8A-8U.

In FIGS. 9A-9G, mount 970 is adapted to include not only a mountattachment structure 970, but also a band assembly 991, e.g., a wristband assembly or an arm band assembly. Alternatively, mount 970 could beadapted to be a bicycle mount, e.g., by replacing band assembly 991 witha clamp assembly, e.g., clamp assembly 1201 of FIG. 12 (discussedbelow).

FIGS. 9H-9I illustrate additional views (case 920 and mobile device 10not illustrated) of mount 930 in accordance with at least the embodimentof FIGS. 9A-9G, with FIGS. 9H and 9I being third and fourth perspectiveviews, respectively;

FIGS. 9J-9K illustrate additional views (case 920 and mobile device 10being illustrated) in accordance with at least the embodiment of FIGS.9A-9I, with FIG. 9J being an exploded bottom end elevation view of thesystem, and FIG. 9K being an exploded side elevation view of the system.

As between FIGS. 9J-9K, in FIG. 9K, case 920 is rotated 90 degrees withrespect to the orientation of case 920 in FIG. 9J. Together, FIGS. 9J-9Killustrate that mount attachment structure 970 and case attachmentstructure 960 are configured to facilitate achieving differentorientations of case 920 with respect to mount 930. With respect toFIGS. 8A-8U discussed above, is it noted that mount attachment structure870 and case attachment structure 860 are similarly configured tofacilitate achieving different orientations of case 820 with respect tomount 830.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate views in accordance with at least one otherembodiment of the present invention, with FIG. 10A being a simplecross-section of a mobile device and another case, with FIGS. 10B-10Cillustrating partial cross-sections of another system formagneto-mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case1020A and 1020B, respectively, to a mount 1030 (not illustrated in FIGS.10A-10C) as well as an external device 1094 (not illustrated in FIGS.10A-10C) to cases 1020A-1020B and/or mount 1030 (not illustrated inFIGS. 10A-10C), with FIGS. 10A-10C more particularly illustrating firstand second attachment assemblies 1050A and 1050B of the system,respectively.

It is noted that FIGS. 10A-10B are similar to FIGS. 8J-8K (amongothers). Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS.10A-10B will tend to focus on differences of FIGS. 10A-10B with respectto FIGS. 8J-8K.

Whereas mount attachment structure 870 of FIGS. 8J-8K includes a baseplate 854, a core member (or projection) 861 and an LP (again, lockingand/or positioning) assembly 852, mount attachment structure 1070 ofFIGS. 10A-10B does not include an LP assembly. Instead, mount attachmentstructure 1070 includes magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 and/or case attachmentstructure 1060A includes magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2.

Magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 and magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 can be permanentmagnets or electromagnets. If electromagnets are used, then power can besupplied via mobile device 10 or via a battery 1006 disposed in case1020A. Furthermore, if electromagnets are used, then a switch 1007 canbe provided to selectively de-energize the electromagnets (interrupt theflow of current thereto) and consequently terminate the electromagneticfields, thereby facilitating disengagement of case attachment structure1060A from mount attachment structure 1070. In FIG. 10A, battery 1006and switch 1007 are enclosed in a dashed box to denote that they areoptional.

For example, magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 and magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 canexhibit static or slowly varying magnetic fields. Alternatively, one ofmagnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 and magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 may instead be aferrous material to achieve the same effect. Magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2,magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 (or alternatively ferrous material) may alsobe incorporated into any of the other mount embodiments disclosed.

In FIGS. 10A-10B, magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 are disposed in core member1061 near the distal end thereof. Correspondingly, magnets 1093-1 and1093-2 are disposed in bottom wall 1055C near the surface thereof.Magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 are sized, located and configured so thattheir magnetic fields generates magnetic forces that attracts magnets1093-1 and 1093-2, which thereby draws core member 1061 towards bottomwall 1055C. Correspondingly, magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 are sized,located and configured so that there magnetic fields generate magneticforces that attract magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2, which thereby drawsbottom wall 1055C towards core member 1061.

For example, there can be four magnets 1092-1, 102-2, 1092-3 (notillustrated) and 1092-4 (not illustrated) and a corresponding fourmagnets 1093-1, 102-2, 1092-3 (not illustrated) and 1092-4 (notillustrated), respectively. Such magnets can be arranged (in a top planview (not illustrated)) at 90 degree intervals around the X-Y plane of athree-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, e.g., with magnets 1092-1and 1093-1 at zero degrees, magnets 1092-2 and 1093-2 at 90 degrees,magnets 1092-3 and 1093-3 at 180 degrees, and magnets 1092-4 and 1093-4at 270 degrees. When case attachment structure 1060A and mountattachment structure 1070 are oriented so as to be parallel with the X-Yplane of the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system, and caseattachment structure 1060A is rotated relative to mount attachmentstructure 1070 about the Z-axis of the three-dimensional Cartesiancoordinate system, such multiple interacting magnetic fields can urgecase attachment structure 1060A to assume orientations at 90 degreeintervals in the X-Y plane with respect to mount attachment structure1070, i.e., multiple magnetic fields cooperatively interact as magneticdetents relative to orientations of case attachment structure 1060A inthe X-Y plane with respect to mount attachment structure 1070.

Magnetic field shields 1096-1 and 1096-2 can be provided around, e.g.,three sides of, magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2, respectively, to reduce theportion of the magnetic fields from magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 to whichmobile device 10 is subjected. Optionally and correspondingly, magneticfield shields 1095-1 and 1095-2 can be provided around, e.g., threesides of, magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2, respectively, to reduce the portionof the magnetic field from magnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 extending in adirection leading away from magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2. Static or slowlyvarying magnetic fields, such as that exhibited by magnet 1093-1 and1093-2, can be selectively diverted/redirected by the shape of shields1096-1 and 1096-2, the thickness of the walls of shields 1096-1 and1096-2 and the material from which shields 1096-1 and 1096-2 are made.For example, shields 1096-1 and 1096-2 can be formed from aferromagnetic metal, e.g., iron, steel, mu-metal, a super conductor,etc.

Such magnetic forces, e.g., promotes abutment between: the distal end ofcore member 1061 (and more particularly the electrodes formed therein)and the surface of bottom wall 1055C (and more particularly theelectrodes formed therein); and between the surface of base plate 1054(and more particularly the electrodes formed therein) and flange 1055(and more particularly the electrodes formed therein). But such magneticforces would not be so large as to substantially impede, if not prevent,removal of core member 1061 from recess 1065A.

As a first effect, such magnetic forces electromagnetically resistdisengagement of case attachment structure 1060A from mount attachmentstructure 1070. As a second effect, the abutting engagement of the sidewalls of core member 1061 (of mount structure 1070) with end surfaces offlange 1055D (of case attachment structure 1060A) mechanicallystabilizes the alignment of mount structure 1070 and case attachmentstructure 1060A along the long axis of core member 1061. Together, thefirst and second effects yield a third effect, namely amagneto-mechanical connection between case attachment structure 1060Aand mount structure 1070, and thus between case 1020 and mount 1030. Inother words, the electrical connections between case 1020 and mount 1030(namely, the electrical connections made by attachment assembly 1050)are integrated with the magneto-mechanical connections between case 1020and mount 1030 (namely, the magneto-mechanical connections made byattachment assembly 1050).

In implementations, the magnetic attachment mechanism disclosed may beeasier to initiate and release than the purely mechanical mechanismsdisclosed in other embodiments, but also may provide a less secureconnection, particularly when lateral/rotational forces are applied.This may make the magnetic attachment mechanism most desirable forapplications where convenience of attachment and release are at apremium relative to a secure connection— for example it may be moredesirable for use in a desk mount than an arm band, and/or may be moreor less desirable based on the preferences and pattern of use ofparticular users.

It is noted that FIG. 10C is similar to FIG. 10B (among others).Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIG. 10C willtend to focus on differences of FIG. 10C with respect to FIG. 10B.

Whereas case attachment structure 1060A (of FIG. 10B) includes flange1055D (extending inwardly from sidewalls 1055B1) and consequently hasgroove 1065B, case attachment structure 1060B is not provided with aflange 1055D. Hence, case attachment structure 1060B does not have agroove corresponding to groove 1065B. As a result, the interior surfacearea of side walls 1055B2) abuttingly engages the side wall of coremember 1061. In contrast to the amount of surface area at the end offlange 1055D (of case attachment structure 1060A) in abutting engagementwith the side wall of core member 1061 in FIG. 10B, there is a greateramount of surface area of side walls 1055B2 (of case attachmentstructure 1060B) in abutting engagement with the side wall of coremember 1061 in FIG. 10C), which promotes relatively greater mechanicalstabilization of the alignment of mount structure 1070 and caseattachment structure 1060B along the long axis of core member 1061.

FIG. 10D illustrates a back plan view of case 1020 of FIGS. 10A-10C, andmore particularly case attachment structure 1060. FIG. 10E illustrates aback plan view of a mount attachment structure 1070-1 of an externaldevice 1060. And FIG. 10F illustrates a back plan view of a mountattachment structure 1070-2 of a mount 1075 for external device 1094.

To facilitate the making of electrical connections between at least someof mounts 1030 and case 1020, attachment assembly 1050 (not called outin FIGS. 10 d-10F) (more particularly, case attachment structure 1060and mount attachment structure 1070-1 or case attachment structure 1060and mount attachment structure 1070-1) include cooperatively structuredand arranged electrodes. For example, case attachment structure 1060 canbe provided with electrodes 1053A, 1053B, 1053C, 1053D1 and 1053E, mountattachment structure 1070-1 can be provided with corresponding (e.g.,cooperatively structured and arranged) electrodes 1057A, 1057B, 1057C,1057D and 1057E, and mount attachment structure 1070-2 can be providedwith corresponding (e.g., cooperatively structured and arranged)electrodes 1057A, 1057B, 1057C, 1057D2 and 1057E, respectively. Suchelectrodes can be formed, e.g., of electrically conductive material,such as metal or other materials.

In terms of electrodes for case attachment structure 1060, in FIG. D,attached to, e.g., formed in, back wall 1055C (not called out in FIG.10D) are electrodes 1053A, 1053B, 1053C and 1053E, which are arranged tobe exposed at the planar surface of back wall 1055C. Each of electrodes1053A, 1053C and 1053E can be a pin type of electrode distributedradially with respect to the long axis of core member 1061 (not calledout in FIG. 10D). Electrode 1053B can be an annular electrode centeredsubstantially about the long axis of core member 1061 (again, not calledout in FIG. 10D). Electrodes 1053D1 can be annular segment electrodescentered substantially about the long axis of core member 1061 (again,not called out in FIG. 10D).

In terms of electrodes for mount attachment structure 1070-1 of externaldevice 1094 in FIG. 10E, attached to, e.g., formed in, the distal end ofcore member 1061 (not called out in FIG. 10E) are electrodes 1057A,1057B, 1057C and 1057E, which are arranged to be exposed at the planarsurface of the distal end of core member 1061 (again, not called out inFIG. 10E). Each of electrodes 1057A, 1057B and 1057D can be a pin typeof electrode distributed radially with respect to the long axis of coremember 1061 (not called out in FIG. 10E). Each of electrodes 1057C and1057E can be annular electrodes centered substantially about the longaxis of core member 1061 (again, not called out in FIG. 10E).

In terms of electrodes for mount attachment structure 1070-2 of mount1075 in FIG. 10F, attached to, e.g., formed in, back wall 1055C (notcalled out in FIG. 10D) are electrodes 1053A, 1053B, 1053C and 1053E,which are arranged to be exposed at the planar surface of back wall1055C (again, not called out in FIG. 10D). Each of electrodes 1053A,1053C and 1053E can be a pin type of electrode distributed radially withrespect to the long axis of core member 1061 (not called out in FIG.10D). Electrodes 1053B and 1053D3 can be annular electrodes centeredsubstantially about the long axis of core member 1061 (again, not calledout in FIG. 10D).

For example, when external device 1094 is attached to case 1020, pins1057D2 of mount attachment structure 1070-1 will not contact electrodes1053D1 of case attachment structure 1060. Under such circumstances, ifexternal device 1094 is, e.g., a battery, then the battery willdischarge so as to provide power to mobile device 10. By contrast, whenexternal device 1094 is attached to mount 1075, pins 1057D2 of mountattachment structure 1070-1 will contact electrode 1053D3 of mountattachment structure 1070-2. Under the latter circumstance, if externaldevice 1094 is, e.g., a battery, then the battery will not discharge.

FIGS. 10G-10I illustrate additional views in accordance with at leastthe embodiment of FIGS. 10A-10F, with FIG. 10G being an explodedthree-quarter front perspective view of the system (external device 1094not illustrated), FIG. 10H being an unexploded three-quarter rearperspective view of the system (external device 1094 not illustrated),and FIG. 10I being an exploded three-quarter rear perspective view ofthe system (case 1020A, 1020B and mobile device 10 not illustrated).

For example, external device 1094 can be a mobile battery.Alternatively, external device 1094 can be a mobile magnetic card reader(for reading magnetic stripe cards, e.g., credit cards), a mobile smartcard or chip card or ICC (integrated circuit card) reader (for readingcards, typically pocket-sized, that include embedded integratedcircuits), an external storage device (e.g., a flash/thumb drive, memorycard, etc.), an antenna (e.g., 802.11-type wireless local area network(WLAN) compatible, WiFi, mobile telephony, etc.), a lens system, asensor, etc.

In FIGS. 10E-10F, mount 1030A is a gravity mount, e.g., a desk mount,and is provided not only with a first mount attachment structure 1070A,but also with a second mount attachment structure 1070B located on base1031. External device 1094, e.g., a battery, is provided with a caseattachment structure, e.g., case attachment 1060A or case attachmentstructure 1060B. As such, external device 1094 can engage second mountattachment structure 1070B via magneto-mechanical connections andelectrical connections, e.g., to thereby supply power (or, in otherwords, charge) external voltage source 1094, without or without case1020A, 1020B being engaged with first mount 107A. If both externaldevice 1094 and case 1020A, 1020B are engaged, power can be supplied toexternal device 1094 while power and/or data are supplied to case 1020A,1020B.

FIGS. 10J-10K illustrate additional views in accordance with at leastthe embodiment of FIGS. 10A-10I, with FIG. 10J being an explodedthree-quarter perspective front view of case 1020A, 1020B, mobile device10 and an alternate mount 1030B, and with FIG. 10K being an unexplodedthree-quarter perspective rear view of case 1020A, 1020B, mobile device10 and alternate mount 1030B.

In FIGS. 10J-10K, mount 1030A is a suction mount, e.g., a window mount.

FIGS. 10L-10N illustrate additional views in accordance with at leastthe embodiment of FIGS. 10A-10K, with FIG. 10L being an unexplodedthree-quarter perspective front view of case 1020A, 1020B, mobile device10 and external power source 1094 (mounts 1030A and 1030 notillustrated), with FIG. 10M being an unexploded three-quarterperspective rear view of case 1020A, 1020B, mobile device 10 andexternal power source 1094 (mounts 1030A and 1030B not illustrated), andFIG. 10N being an exploded three-quarter perspective front view of case1020A, 1020B, mobile device 10 and external power source 10940 (mounts1030A and 1030B not illustrated).

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrates partial cross-sections of another system formagneto-mechanically and electrically connecting a mobile device case1120 to a mount 1130-1 (FIG. 11A) and a mount 1130-2 (FIG. 11B), inaccordance with at least one other embodiment of the present invention.

It is noted that FIG. 11A is similar to FIG. 10C (among others).Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIG. 11A willtend to focus on differences of FIG. 11A with respect to FIG. 10C.

Whereas mount attachment structure 1070 of FIG. 10 includes projectingcore member 1061 and case attachment structure 1060B has formed thereinrecess 1065B, by contrast, mount attachment structures 1170-1 and 1170-2have formed therein a recess 1165 and case attachment structures 1160-1and 1160-2 include a corresponding projecting core member 1161. It isnoted that recess 1165 is substantially shallower than recess 1065B, andcore member 1161 correspondingly projects outward substantially lessthan core member 1061. Projecting core member 1161 tapers from itsproximal to its distal end, i.e., is wider at its proximal end that atits distal end. Correspondingly, recess 1165 tapers from its top to itsbottom, i.e., the mouth of recess 1165 is wider than the bottom ofrecess 1065. The distal end of projecting core member 1161 and thebottom of recess 1165 are substantially planar and, e.g., circular incross-section.

In FIG. 11A, at the lateral edges of core member 1161, there are annulargroove segments 1197 formed into case attachment structure 1160-1. Atthe edges of recess 1165, tabs 1198-1 project from mount attachmentstructure 1060-1. Tabs 1198-1 are sized and shaped to removably engagegroove segments 1197-1. When engaged in groove segments 1197-1, tabs1198-1 resist lateral translation of mount attachment structure 1170-1with respect to case attachment structure 1160-1.

As a first effect, the magnetic forces of magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 andmagnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 electromagnetically resist disengagement ofcase attachment structure 1160-1 from mount attachment structure 1170-1.As a second effect, the engagement of tabs 1198-1 (of mount attachmentstructure 1170-1) with groove segments 1197 (of case attachmentstructure 1160-1) mechanically stabilizes the alignment of mountstructure 1170-1 and case attachment structure 1160-1 along the longaxis of core member 1161 (which is substantially parallel to the planarsurfaces to which the electrodes are attached). Together, the first andsecond effects yield a third effect, namely a magneto-mechanicalconnection between case attachment structure 1160-1 and mount structure1170-1, and thus between case 1120-1 and mount 1130-1. In other words,the electrical connections between case 1120-1 and mount 1130-1 (namely,the electrical connections made by attachment assembly 1150-1) areintegrated with the magneto-mechanical connections between case 1020-1and mount 1030-1 (namely, the magneto-mechanical connections made byattachment assembly 1050-1).

It is noted that FIG. 11B is similar to FIG. 11A and FIGS. 8J-8K (amongothers). Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIG.11B will tend to focus on differences of FIG. 11B with respect to FIGS.11A and 8J-8K.

In FIG. 11B, mount attachment structure 1170-2 is provided with tabs1198-2 that are similar to tabs 1198-1 of FIG. 11A but additionallyinclude flanges 117C that extend, e.g., substantially perpendicularly,from distal ends of flanges 1198-2. Correspondingly, case attachmentstructure 1160-2 is provided with annular groove segments 1197-2 thatare similar to annular groove segments 1197-1 of FIG. 11A butadditionally include annular alcoves 1166 that extend radially inwardtowards the long axis of core member 1161 (which is substantiallyparallel to the planar surfaces to which the electrodes are attached).Relative to the long axis of core member 1161, tabs 1198-2 can beconfigured to be radially displaceable (as indicated by double-headedarrows 1199), e.g., similar to LP assembly 852 of FIGS. 8J-8K. Incontrast to LP assembly 852, when tabs 1198-2 are displaced radiallyinwardly, flanges 1172C can engage alcoves 1166, and when tabs 1198-2are displaced radially outwardly, flanges 1172C can be disengaged fromalcoves 1166.

It is noted that case 1120-2 (having case attachment structure 1160-02)not only can be used with mount 1130-2 (having mount attachmentstructure 1170-2), but also with mount 1130-1 (having mount attachmentstructure 1170-1).

As a first effect, the magnetic forces of magnets 1093-1 and 1093-2 andmagnets 1092-1 and 1092-2 electromagnetically and the engagement offlanges 1172C with alcoves 1166 combine to resist disengagement of caseattachment structure 1160-1 from mount attachment structure 1170-1. As asecond effect, the engagement of tabs 1198-1 (of mount attachmentstructure 1170-1) with groove segments 1197 (of case attachmentstructure 1160-1) mechanically stabilizes the alignment of mountstructure 1170-1 and case attachment structure 1160-1 along the longaxis of core member 1161 (which is substantially parallel to the planarsurfaces to which the electrodes are attached). Together, the first andsecond effects yield a third effect, namely a magneto-mechanicalconnection between case attachment structure 1160-1 and mount structure1170-1, and thus between case 1120-1 and mount 1130-1. In other words,the electrical connections between case 1120-1 and mount 1130-1 (namely,the electrical connections made by attachment assembly 1150-1) areintegrated with the magneto-mechanical connections between case 1020-1and mount 1030-1 (namely, the magneto-mechanical connections made byattachment assembly 1050-1).

FIGS. 11C-11I illustrate additional views in accordance with at leastthe embodiments of FIGS. 11A-11B, with FIG. 11C being a perspective rearview of case 1120-2 and mobile device 10 contained therein (mount notillustrated), FIG. 11D being perspective rear view of an external device1194 (mobile device, case and mount not illustrated), FIGS. 11E-11Fbeing front and rear perspective views of a first version 1130-2′ ofmount 1130-2 (mobile device and case not illustrated), respectively,FIG. 11G being a front perspective view of a second version 1130-2″ ofmount 1130-2 (mobile device and case not illustrated), FIG. 11H being afront perspective view of a third version 1130-2′″ of mount 1130-2(mobile device and case not illustrated), and FIG. 11I being a frontperspective view of a fourth version 1130-2″ of mount 1130-2 (mobiledevice and case not illustrated);

It is noted that FIGS. 11C-11I are similar to FIGS. 11A-11B (amongothers). Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, the discussion of FIGS.11C-11I will tend to focus on differences of FIGS. 11C-11I with respectto FIGS. 11A-11B.

FIG. 11C illustrates, among other things, one of the advantages notedabove. More particularly, FIG. 11C illustrates, among other things, thatthe location of case attachment structure 1160-2 in a central region onthe back of case 1120-2 will facilitate unencumbered use of a headphonejack 1107 of mobile device 10 (e.g., by plugging in a headphone cable1108) when case attachment structure 1120-2 is connected to mountattachment structures 1130-1, 1330-2, etc.

In FIG. 11D, external device 1194 includes, among other things, a firstversion 1170-1′ of mount attachment structure 1170-1. Hence, FIG. 11Dillustrates tabs 1198-1, whereas FIGS. 11E-11I illustrate tabs 1198-2.

In FIGS. 11E-11F, mount 1130-2′ includes a first version 1170-2′ ofmount attachment structure 1170-2 and a clip assembly 1190, e.g., a beltclip assembly.

In FIG. 11G, mount 1130-2″ includes a second version 1170-2″ of mountattachment structure 1170-2. Mount 1130-2″ is adapted to be, forexample, a suction mount, e.g., a window mount.

In FIG. 11H, mount 1130-2′″ includes a third version 1170-2′″ of mountattachment structure 1170-2. Mount 1130-2′″ is adapted to be, forexample, a gravity mount, e.g., a desk mount.

In FIG. 11I, mount 1130-2″″ includes a fourth version 1170-2″″ of mountattachment structure 1170-2 and a band assembly 1191, e.g., a wrist bandassembly or an arm band assembly. Alternatively, mount 1130-2″″ could beadapted to be a bicycle mount, e.g., by replacing band assembly 1191with a clamp assembly, e.g., clamp assembly 1201 of FIG. 12 (discussedbelow).

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-section of another system for mechanicallyand electrically connecting a mobile device case 1220 to a mount 1230,e.g., compatible with any of the mounting assemblies disclosed herein,in accordance with at least one other embodiment of the presentinvention.

In FIG. 12, case 1220 includes a case attachment structure 1260 andmount 1230 includes a mount attachment structure 1270. Together, caseattachment structure 1260 and mount attachment structure 1270 compriseattachment assembly 1250. It is noted that case 1220, attachmentassembly 1250 (and more particularly case attachment structure 1260 andmount attachment structure 1270) are similar to components describedelsewhere in this document. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity, thediscussion of FIG. 12 will tend to focus on the other components of FIG.12.

Mount 1230 further includes a clamp assembly 1201. And clamp assembly1201 includes clamp plate 1202, clamp plate 1203, rods 1204 and camlevers 1205. Mount 1230 can be used, e.g., to mount case 1220 to abicycle. In such circumstances, clamp plates 1202 and 1203 can bedisposed around a handlebar or a portion of the bicycle frame 1201. Rods1204 attach to clamp plate 1202, e.g., clamp plate 1202 is provided withthreaded blind holes that receive correspondingly threaded ends of rods1204). Rods 1204 pass through clamp plate 1203 where they attach to camlevers 1205, respectively. Selective rotation of cam levers 1205 canapply forces against clamp plate 1203 in a direction urging clamp plate1203 towards clamp plate 1202, thereby clamping handlebar/frame 1206therebetween.

In another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a casefor a mobile device that includes a first connector (e.g., a socketcompatible with one of an APPLE® computer bus format and a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) computer bus format) having an exposed first set of oneor more electrodes. Such a case comprises: walls that define a recessconfigured to removably receive the mobile device at least partially; asecond connector (e.g., a plug compatible with one of an APPLE® computerbus format and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) computer bus format),attached to at least one of the walls so as to be exposed to the recess,configured to removably engage the first connector, and having anexposed second electrode set corresponding to the first set,respectively; a third connector, attached to an exterior surface of oneor more of the walls (e.g., a socket compatible with one of an APPLE®computer bus format and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) computer busformat, or a case attachment structure as disclosed herein, e.g., caseattachment structure 1160-1, 1160-2, etc.), configured to be removablyengageable with a fourth connector (e.g., a plug compatible with one ofan APPLE® computer bus format and a Universal Serial Bus (USB) computerbus format, or a mount attachment structure as disclosed herein, e.g.,mount attachment structure 1170-1, 1170-2, etc.), and having an exposedthird electrode set corresponding to the second set, respectively; andone or more leads, contained in at least one of the walls, thatelectrically connect the second electrode set to the third electrodeset, respectively.

For such a case, the first connector can have a female configuration,and the second connector can have a corresponding male configuration.For such a cased, the first connector can be a socket, and the secondconnector can be a plug. For such a case, the third connector can beconfigured to provide rotary mechanical and electrical connections tothe fourth connector. For such a case, the second connector can beformed into the surface of the recess, and the third connector can beformed into the exterior surface of the one or more walls. For such acase, at least a first material forms a part of the at least one wallcontaining the one or more leads, and the one or more leads are embeddedin the first material.

The present invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated in the drawings and described above in detail. Those skilledin the art will recognize that other arrangements could be devised, forexample, Examples. The present invention encompasses every possiblecombination of the various features of each embodiment disclosed. One ormore of the elements described herein with respect to variousembodiments can be implemented in a more separated or integrated mannerthan explicitly described, or even removed or rendered as inoperable incertain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular applicationWhile the present invention has been described with reference tospecific illustrative embodiments, modifications and variations of thepresent invention may be constructed without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for mechanically and electricallyconnecting to a mobile device that includes a first connector having anexposed first set of one or more electrodes, the system comprising: amount; and a case removably attachable to the mount and configured toremovably receive the mobile device at least partially, the caseincluding: a second connector, configured to removably engage the firstconnector, and having an exposed second electrode set corresponding tothe first set, respectively; and a first mating part that includes anintegral and exposed third electrode set corresponding at least in partto and electrically connected to the second set, respectively; the mountincluding a second mating part having an integral and exposed fourthelectrode set corresponding to the third set, respectively; and thefirst and the second mating parts being removably engageable andconfigured to provide mechanical and electrical connections between thecase and the mount.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein: the firstconnector is a socket; and the second connector is a plug.
 3. The systemof claim 2, wherein: the first connector and second connectors arecompatible with one of an APPLE® computer bus format and a UniversalSerial Bus (USB) computer bus format.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein:the first and the second mating parts are further configured to providerotary mechanical and electrical connections between the case and themount.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein: the mount is a mobilestructure; the mount further includes at least one of the following: abattery from which power is transferrable to the mobile device via atleast two of the electrical connections between the case and the mountprovided by the first and the second mating parts; and one or more of amagnetic card reader, a smartcard reader, an external storage device, anantenna, a lens system and a sensor from which signals are transferrableto the mobile device via at least two of the electrical connectionsbetween the case and the mount provided by the first and the secondmating parts.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the mount is furtherconfigured as one of a desk mount, a car mount, a bicycle mount, a beltclip and an arm band.
 7. A coupling arrangement comprising: aprojection; and a corresponding receptacle; wherein: a proximal end ofthe projection has a flange; and the projection includes an integralexposed first set of electrodes, at least a first one thereof beingformed in an exposed location on the flange, and at least a second onethereof being formed in an exposed location on a distal end of theprojection; wherein: the receptacle includes walls that define a recesshaving sides and a bottom, the recess being configured to removablyreceive the projection; one or more of the walls provides one or morebearing surfaces outside the recess configured to support the flange;and the receptacle includes an integral second electrode setcorresponding to the first set, respectively, at least a first onethereof being formed in at least one exposed location on one or more ofthe bearing surfaces, and at least a second one thereof being formed inan exposed location at the bottom of the recess; and wherein theprojection and the recess are correspondingly sized so that the secondelectrode at the distal end of the projection is disposed in contactwith the second electrode at the bottom of the recess when the firstelectrode at the flange is disposed in contact with the first electrodeat the one or more bearing surfaces.
 8. The coupling arrangement ofclaim 7, wherein: the projection is extendable from one of a case for amobile device and a corresponding mount for the case; and the receptacleis provided in the other of the case and the mount, respectively.
 9. Thecoupling arrangement of claim 8, wherein: the mount is a mobilestructure; the mount further includes at least one of the following: abattery from which power is transferrable to the mobile device via atleast two corresponding electrodes of the first electrode set and thesecond electrode set, respectively; and one or more of a magnetic cardreader, a smartcard reader, an external storage device, an antenna, alens system and a sensor from which signals are transferrable to themobile device via at least two corresponding electrodes of the firstelectrode set and the second electrode set, respectively.
 10. Thecoupling arrangement of claim 7, wherein: the projection includes atleast a first magnet; and the recess includes at least a second magnet;and the at least first and second magnets attract each other and therebydraw the projection into the recess.
 11. The coupling arrangement ofclaim 10, wherein: one of at least the first and second magnets is anelectromagnet; and the coupling arrangement further comprises: abattery; and a switch connecting the battery to the electromagnet, theswitch being operable to selectively de-energize the electromagnet. 12.The coupling arrangement of claim 10, wherein: the projection includesat least a third magnet; and the recess includes at least a fourthmagnet; and the at least first and third magnets of the projection andthe at least second and fourth magnets of the recess are arranged sothat fields thereof cooperatively interact as magnetic detents relativeto orientations of the projection relative to the recess
 13. Thecoupling arrangement of claim 7, wherein: the flange at the proximal endof the projection is a first-type flange; the receptacle furtherincludes: one or more second-type flanges that extend from one or moreof the walls defining the sides of the recess so as to form a mouth ofthe recess which is narrower than the bottom of the recess; theprojection includes third-type flanges that are radially displaceablerelative to a long axis of the projection, the third-type flanges beingradially retractable to permit insertion of the projection into therecess, the third-type flanges being radially extendable when theprojection is inserted into the recess so as to engage the one or moresecond-type flanges and thereby resist withdrawal of the projection fromthe recess.
 14. A coupling arrangement comprising: a first mating partincluding: a first base; a projection extending from the first base; andannular groove segments formed in the base adjacent to the projection; asecond mating part including: a second base into which is formed areceptacle including walls that define a recess having sides and abottom, the recess being configured to removably receive the projection;and tabs, located adjacent to the recess and extending from the secondbase, and configured to removably engage the annular groove segments;wherein: a distal end of the projection includes an integral exposedfirst set of electrodes; the bottom of the receptacle includes anintegral second electrode set corresponding to the first set,respectively; and the projection and the recess are correspondinglysized so that the first and second electrode sets are disposed incontact, respectively, when the distal end of the projection abuts thebottom of the recess.
 15. The coupling arrangement of claim 14, wherein:the projection is extendable from one of a case for a mobile device anda corresponding mount for the case; and the receptacle is provided inthe other of the case and the mount, respectively.
 16. The couplingarrangement of claim 14, wherein: the mount is a mobile structure; themount further includes at least one of the following: a battery fromwhich power is transferrable to the mobile device via at least twocorresponding electrodes of the first electrode set and the secondelectrode set, respectively; and one or more of a magnetic card reader,a smartcard reader, an external storage device, an antenna, a lenssystem and a sensor from which signals are transferrable to the mobiledevice via at least two corresponding electrodes of the first electrodeset and the second electrode set, respectively.
 17. The couplingarrangement of claim 14, wherein: each tab includes a flange thatextends towards a central region of the recess; each annular segmentincludes an annular alcove that extends toward a central region of theprojection; and the tabs are further configured to be selectivelyradially displaceable with respect to the central region of the recessso as to permit the flanges to removably engage the alcoves.
 18. Thecoupling arrangement of claim 14, wherein: the projection includes atleast a first magnet; and the recess includes at least a second magnet;and the at least first and second magnets attract each other and therebydraw the projection into the recess.
 19. The coupling arrangement ofclaim 18, wherein: one of at least the first and second magnets is anelectromagnet; and the coupling arrangement further comprises: abattery; and a switch connecting the battery to the electromagnet, theswitch being operable to selectively de-energize the electromagnet. 20.The coupling arrangement of claim 18, wherein: the projection includesat least a third magnet; and the recess includes at least a fourthmagnet; and the at least first and third magnets of the projection andthe at least second and fourth magnets of the recess are arranged sothat fields thereof cooperatively interact as magnetic detents relativeto orientations of the projection relative to the recess.